Ford Mustang in the UK
May 31, 2007
Ford Mustang in the UK
by: Nick Roach
So, you are looking to purchase a new car, maybe a new mercedes C-Class, maybe a BMW 323?
These cars after-all come with a ‘huge’ 2.something litre engine which will whine its way up to 60 in probably around 9 seconds.
They will make people know that you are (a) successful (sales rep), and that you have chosen a quality car that. However, I feel that they have as much excitement and originality as a potato.
Why not spend the same money on a new Ford Mustang?
Its not as crazy an idea as you may think; the GT comes with a 4.6 V8 which accelerates from 0-60 in less than 6 seconds, can hit a speed limit well in excess of the law, and houses 300 horses under the bonnet.
It doesn’t even guzzle that much fuel and can manage 25mpg.
But fuel economy is not the reason for buying one of these machines - a Mustang says something about you.
Toyota: The New Number One?
May 30, 2007
Toyota: The New Number One?
by: Matthew C. Keegan
General Motors is number one, but Toyota is gaining. Who will be the winner by the end of this year?
For the past several months news reports have been focusing on the declining fortunes of the world’s largest automaker, General Motors, as well as on the rise of Toyota to pre-eminence. Many are predicting that this will be the year that Toyota overtakes General Motors in sales while others are expressing caution regarding this assessment. Does it really matter who is number one? In many ways it does. Let’s examine the fortunes of the Top Two to determine whether Toyota’s quest to overtake General Motors will happen this year.
So, why does it matter who is the top selling automaker in the world? In one word: prestige. Being number one in any category tells consumers that you are at the top of your game. No, there isn’t anything wrong with being number two - just ask Avis - but saying that “we try harder” doesn’t equate into being number one no matter how cute your commercials may be.
Isuzu Amigo: Claiming Its Right to Fame
May 30, 2007
Isuzu Amigo: Claiming Its Right to Fame
by: Jennifer Dylan
The automobile market was actually monopolized in the 1980s by full size sport utility vehicles. However, come the spring of 1989, in the midst of all those full size SUVs came a compact SUV. It was a sporty mini SUV. It was the Isuzu Amigo.
It came both in a two wheel drive and a four wheel drive. There also were two choices for the engine. The two wheel drive is matched to the 2.3 liter engine with four cylinders and can produce some 96 units of horsepower. As per the four wheel drive, it got matched with the 2.6 liter engine with four cylinders and could produce some 120 horsepower. Both of these engines held a five speed manual transmission system.
Despite the fact that it was a new addition to the market where sport utility vehicles were taking most of the share, the Isuzu Amigo was able to shine through. It even took up a fair share of the SUV and the automobile market. It took the interest of the generation X who were craving for a sporty and flashy sport utility vehicle that held a very reasonable price. Not only does the Isuzu Amigo look good but it also drives good. It has a small engine that means it uses up a lesser amount of gas compared to the full size ones out in the market.
Truck Tonneau Covers For Your Own Unique Style
May 29, 2007
Truck Tonneau Covers For Your Own Unique Style
by: Chris Andretti
The following are the top reasons that most customers purchase tonneau covers http://www.autoanything.com/department.aspx?c_id=50174&se=tonneau_covers_truck_bed_cover:
• Organized storage for whatever you’re hauling in your truck bed, plus the bonus of keeping a lid on loose items
• Coverage from potentially damaging weather conditions, like rain, snow and extreme sun
• Complete coverage of your payload that keeps your cargo out of sight from potential theft
• An immediate improvement in gas mileage with tight, aerodynamic materials covering your otherwise drag-prone open bed
• Sleek looks that range from smooth leather grain patterns to ultra-custom color matched style
Tonneau cover basics for storage
You haul everything from hardware to the occasional load of groceries in the back of your truck. A tonneau cover helps keep a lid on all of it, shielding your cargo from the blowing winds of freeway driving and all kinds of pounding wet weather. It’s an easy way to make sure nothing disappears from your bed while you’re driving or parked.
A guide to protecting your gear from the weather with a tonneau cover
Escalade: Cadillac’s SUV Entry
May 28, 2007
Escalade: Cadillac’s SUV Entry
by: Sarah McBride
Sold by General Motors’ under its luxury brand, Cadillac, the Cadillac Escalade has been designed, crafted, and manufactured as a large sports utility vehicle. This is the first ever Cadillac to enter the now popular SUV segment. It has actually came to the market back in the year 1999 as a response to German and Japanese competition as well as the Lincoln Navigator. Its major competitors include the Mercedes Benz G Class, the Mercedes Benz M Class, the BMW X5, the Lexus LX series, the Infiniti QX56, and the previously mentioned Lincoln Navigator.
Ever since hitting the market, the Cadillac Escalade has become very popular with the market especially to those people who has the knack of personalizing vehicles for its wealthy customers. The most popular customizations done to this vehicle is adding in larger wheels, increasing engine performance, and customizing the paint color and job. And because of its popularity has a luxury vehicle and as a vehicle that the rich would like to have, it has also gained reputation among car thieves as something worth taking the risk.
Uncovering the GMC Canyon
May 27, 2007
Uncovering the GMC Canyon
by: Joe Ratzkin
The available trim levels for the GMC Canyon range from the Work Truck to the SLE 3. It sports two doors and has the capacity to take in a maximum of three passengers in its cabin. It is a compact pickup.
During its introduction, this vehicle has been made available with a standard 2.8 liter I4 engine that could produce some 175 horsepower and could achieve 20 mpg in the city as well as some 27 mpg during highway driving. Made standard is a four speed automatic transmission system with overdrive.
For 2006, the GMC Canyon comes with updates and changes. These changes include an addition of a passenger sensing air bag system. The list also includes a ZQ 8 Sport Suspension package, as well as the SLT Package. The GMC Canyon’s traction control also includes a new locking differential. The previous OnStar system found in earlier models had already been updated for now, this system provides a hands-free capability. Added to its choice of colors is the new superior blue metallic exterior paint. There also are changes in engine options that now includes a 2.8 liter 175 horsepower in line four cylinder engine, a 220 horsepower 3.5 liter in line five cylinder engine.
500 Auto Accessories!
May 26, 2007
500 Auto Accessories!
by: Matthew C. Keegan
An almost endless supply and variety of aftermarket parts and accessories are available for your vehicle. Who can you thank for this, the Beach Boys? Yeah, little deuce coupe…
The auto accessories market is experiencing explosive growth thanks to the ever increasing number of new vehicle models being marketed all across North America. For more than fifty years consumers have been the chief benefactors of this unrelenting growth and the selection for you has never been better. Let’s take a look at some of the many automobile accessories available to auto enthusiasts like you and how you can get your hands on what you want!
By definition, automobile accessories are those items [including parts] that do not come with your vehicle. Yes, in some cases you can purchase a fully accessorized vehicle, but for the sake of clarity I am defining auto accessories as aftermarket purchases only.
Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, the accessories available for it will vary. The more popular the model, the more likely that someone, somewhere is making custom fitted accessories for it. Indeed, America’s most popular vehicle - Ford’s full size pick up trucks - have more than 500 different types of accessories made especially for that truck. These accessories come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and ultimately number in the many thousands of different items when calculated separately.
If You Know The Future Of The Auto Industry, These Guys Would Like To See You
May 25, 2007
If You Know The Future Of The Auto Industry, These Guys Would Like To See You
by: Peter Johnson
Predicting the future is tricky business. It’s hard to predict the future of an industry, especially the automobile industry. 10 years ago many industry exec’s thought that mainstream vehicles achieving close to 100mpg would be commonplace. Jurgen Hubbert, once Chief of the passenger car division for Mercedes-Benz AG said in a 1996 interview with Automobile Magazine we will have “innovative new combustion engines. We will have fuel economy between 56 and 95mpg”. He thought this would happen by 2006. Well, it’s February 2006 and I’m still waiting.
One of the more famous predictions came from a legend in the North American auto industry. Lee Iacocca was speaking to Carroll Shelby (another legendary figure) in 1971 about the future of Toyota in North America. Shelby had just been offered a Toyota dealership in California and wanted to know why Iacocca thought it would be a bad idea. Iacocca went on to say “because we’re going to kick their asses back into the Pacific Ocean”. Iacocca was wrong and Toyota has grown to become the richest car company in the world.
North America’s Ford Contour
May 25, 2007
North America’s Ford Contour
by: Jason Moore
The Ford Mondeo sedan was for the European market. Travel to the lands of the United States and North American and you would find the Ford Contour. The Ford Contour would be the Ford Mondeo’s American counterpart. This sedan was actually sold by the Ford Motor Company starting from 1995 up until 2000. Fact is, this vehicle actually was the basis for building a version of this under the Mercury brand. And the result came to be the Mercury Mystique and later on became the Mercury Cougar. The Ford Contour was found in the Ford Motor Company’s line up filling the niche between the Ford Escort and the Ford Taurus.
The Ford Contour has a DOHC V6 engine with 24 valves. It has an aluminum block and aluminum heads. This has a displacement of 155 cubic inches. It can produce some 170 units of bhp at 6250 rpm, and 165 pound feet at 4250 rpm. It has also been equipped with a five speed manual transmission system. The wheelbase of the Ford Contour measures 106.5 inches, 183.9 inches in length and has a curb weight of 2910 pounds.
Nissan Versa-tility
May 24, 2007
Nissan Versa-tility
by: Terry Brown
It is an all new subcompact car from Nissan and will be a 2007 year model. This is the Nissan Versa. It will be made available as a sedan and as a hatchback as well. Fact is, this vehicle has been based on the Nissan Tiida which is a vehicle that is sold only in the Japanese automobile market. The 2007 Nissan Versa hatchbacks will be manufactured in Japan whereas the sedan versions would be constructed in Aguascalientes in Mexico.
This new vehicle from Nissan will be making its way to public knowledge come the 2006 North American International Auto Show. First to roll down the ramp would be the hatchback model. The sedan will be rolling next after a couple of months. The Nissan Versa will be coming equipped with a 1.8 liter I4 engine that has the capacity to produce some 120 units of horsepower along with 125 pound feet. There will be transmissions to be installed which would be a four speed automatic, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a 6 speed manual transmission system. This would be sold with price range of US $12,000 to $15,500. In Canada, though, the 2007 Nissan Versa would be filling the niche left by the Nissan Micra back in 1991.
